General Dynamics-NASSCO has notified 375 workers at its shipyard in San Diego that they might be laid off indefinitely in late April due to expected cuts in the Defense Department budget. The company says it also might eliminate the jobs of 290 subcontractors.

"These actions are the direct result of information recently furnished by the Navy regarding the possible cancellation or delay of maintenance and repair work," NASSCO said in an email to U-T San Diego. "The final number of positions affected will be determined when the Navy finalizes its plans for cancellation or delay of maintenance and repair work. Federal and state law requires that NASSCO inform employees of these potential actions now, given the likelihood that layoffs will be necessary."

The Navy says it could be forced to delay repair work on eight warships in San Diego because of tight funding in the Defense Department's current budget, and deep cuts that are expected to be made on Friday due to sequestration.

The layoff warnings come as workers at NASSCO are preparing for Saturday's christening of the Montford Point, a Mobile Landing Platform ship that was built for the Navy.